The first track, “The Shark Fighter,” pushed by a fast paced drum beat and quick guitar riffs, was an exciting beginning to this release, and another sick album put out on Fearless records. The next song showed me that The Aquabats could mix it up and take it slow. “B.F.F.!” was a bit more laid back, but still interesting to listen to. The third track, “The Legend Is True” featured more guitar-based melodies and even some solos. Each song features something new that is essential for any band.
As the album continued, I began to feel some repetition in terms of the lyrics. It seemed like the later tracks didn’t have a lot of thought given to them lyrically. Musically, each tune had new elements, but the fact that the same phrases were repeated numerous times in each track kind of drew my attention away from how good the music actually was. The only thing I would change about the album itself would be a little more depth to the lyrics.
As a whole, the release reminds me of the soundtrack to a surf video. If you’re looking for some chill rock music, this is definitely worth a look. It even mixes in some ska elements, without it being too distracting. By now, most people know what to expect from The Aquabats, and, as a whole, I was happy with Hi-Five Soup. It’s definitely worth a look for new and old fans alike.
In A Word: Surf
